Definition: And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou [art] with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 16:11. It's a really important passage in the Bible that tells us about God’s plan for Abraham and his descendants! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is saying: “I’ve heard about your suffering/trouble.” Let’s unpack it further: “And the angel of the LORD said unto her…” : This refers to a special angel – often interpreted as Gabriel (who delivers good news). “…behold, thou [are] with child, and shalt bear a son…” : This means God is recognizing that Abraham was experiencing hardship. He’s acknowledging his pain and suffering. “Behold” is a fancy word meaning "look" or "notice." “…and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.” : This is the key part! God says, “You are pregnant with a son. You should name him Ishmael.” He’s giving him a name – it's a Hebrew name meaning "slave" or "servant," but it’s a significant name because it’s connected to Abraham and his descendants. The reason he’s naming him is that God has heard about your hardship. What does this mean in the bigger picture? This verse is a foundational story in the Bible! It's often seen as: A promise of future salvation: God promised Abraham that he would have a son who would be a great leader and bring many descendants. Ishmael is seen as the father of the Israelites, so this verse is connected to the coming of the Jewish people. A sign of God’s love and concern: It shows that God cares deeply about his people and recognizes their struggles. In short, it's a beautiful message of hope – that even in difficult times, God is watching over you and is ready to bring a new beginning. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of Ishmael? Talk about how this passage relates to other stories in the Bible?